Lately I’ve been developing some breakfast pastry recipes for my summer restaurant job here on MV and one of my favorite things to make are scones. But not those dry as sand scones, no sir! These Orange-Poppy Seed Scones, adapted from a CIA recipe, are moist and have a tender crumb structure with some crispy bits on the edges. They’re loaded with Vitamin C from all the citrus zest and a healthy dose of Dutch Blue Poppy Seeds.

Dutch Blue Poppy Seeds, you ask? Well, Virtual Potluck has joined forces with Savory Spice Shop in developing a few new recipes using their products. We each have an entire shop section and mine was seeds; this was were I fell in love with their Dutch Blue Poppy Seeds. I’m the one that goes for the poppy seed bagel 9/10 times at the coffee shop, so it seemed natural I’d bake with them!

Poppy seeds come from a yellowish brown opium plant native to the Mediterranean. They have been cultivated since the 6th century for the seeds, but also for opium, the narcotic that comes from the unripe seed. These mature seeds do not have narcotic properties. Nowadays these tiny blue gray seeds are mainly produced in Holland and Canada.  Poppy seeds have a nutty tasting flavor and are mainly used in baking. They are popular in breads, cakes, rolls and cookies. Although poppy seeds are difficult to grind, try dry roasting them first, then buzz them in a coffee grinder or spice mill. To make a paste, soak the seeds in water for 2-3 hours and then process in a blender with a touch of the liquid. Refrigerate or freeze poppy seeds to maintain freshness.

-Savory Spice Shop

Each Virtual Potluck member had a different set of spices to play with, so make sure to stop by Cookistry and check out the round-up post of recipes and giveaways! More spices, more chances to win!

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Orange-Poppy Seed Scones

[From "Baking at Home with the Culinary Institute of America"|http://www.amazon.com/Baking-Home-Culinary-Institute-America/dp/0471450952}
Print Recipe
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Ingredients

  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 ¾ cup bread flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla salt
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon orange extract
  • 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
  • ¼ cup sliced dried apricots
  • 1 egg whisked with 1 tablespoon milk
  • to decorate: orange zest poppy seeds
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2-4 tablespoons milk
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • orange zest

Instructions

  • Stir together sugar, flour, baking powder, and vanilla salt. Set aside.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk milk and lemon juice until it "curdles". This takes about 2 minutes. Add orange extract, poppy seeds, and apricot slices.
  • Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir together. You can do this in a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, but using a dough whisk is a faster and easier way to go!
  • On a baking sheet fitted with plastic wrap, place dough and naturally form into a circle. Cut into 8 slices and freeze for 4 hours or overnight. I found it easier to cut after 30 minutes in the freezer.
  • To bake: Preheat oven to 350F and place frozen scones on greased baking sheet. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with orange zest and poppy seeds. Bake until golden brown.
  • To make glaze, stir together powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and orange zest. Glaze scones and serve! You can always serve glaze on the side as well.
Servings: 8 large scones

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Thanks to the generous folks over at Savory Spice Shop, we’re giving away a spice gift set for one lucky Cooking with Books reader! It’s a fantastic set of spice blends that you can add to everything from popcorn to grilled steak! Entry Guidelines: leave a comment for each action done, as well as a contact email.
  • Tweet: Love Spices? Enter to win a spice gift set via @nella22 & @SavorySpiceShop http://bit.ly/INFblt
  • Head on over to the Savory Spice Shop Facebook page and post on their wall your favorite spice
  • Follow Savory Spice Shop on Twitter
  • Follow Cooking with books blog via Google Friend Connect (right-hand side bar)
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Connect with Savory Spice Shop



Disclaimer: Savory Spice Shop sent Virtual Potluck members spices to test and develop a recipe with, free of charge. My opinions, as always, were based on product testing and tasting!  US mailing addresses only. One (1) winner will be chosen randomly. Prize will be shipped by Savory Spice Shop. The contest ends Sunday, April 22nd, 2012 at 11:59 pm Eastern time. The winner will be announced on Monday, April 23st via email and will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen.

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89 Comments

  13. I follow Savory Spice Shop on Twitter (as picatasi)

    sweepinpianista at gmail dot com

    Reply

  14. I posted on Savory Spice’s FB wall

    sweepinpianista at gmail dot com

    Reply

  18. I posted that garlic was my favorite spice on Savory Spice Shops facebook page.

    randcbruns AT kci DOT net

    Reply

  19. I’m following Savory Spice Shop on twitter: ljskop

    Reply

  23. Oh my the scones are delicious love poppt seeds and citrus pairing and the giveaway so fantastic too! Hey girlie…missing you though get glimpses of you here and there! 🙂

    Reply

  26. I shared my favorite spice on the Savory Spice Shop!

    Reply

  27. I tweeted the giveaway! Those scones look so delicious:-) I love orange flavor scones….with orange glaze too he he he! Hugs, Terra

    Reply

  32. Message tweeted: Love Spices? Enter to win a spice gift set via @nella22 & @SavorySpiceShop http://bit.ly/INFblt

    (aitia at hotmail dot com)

    Reply

  34. This comment has been removed by the author.

    Reply

  35. I just want to pick up one of those scones right out of the picture and eat it! These look delicious!

    Reply

  40. I follow Savory Spice Shop on Twitter.

    bluedawn95864 at gmail dot com

    Reply

  41. I posted on Savory Spice Shop Facebook wall that my favorite spice is the curries and chiles.

    bluedawn95864 at gmail dot com

    Reply

  43. I love scones, too! And I fell in love with them the first time I tasted them in the restaurant I worked at – the chef/owner was CIA trained, so it could be the same base for the recipes:)
    We use a lot of poppy seeds in (mostly) sweet recipes, and one of these days i’ll bring over my mom’s poppy seed grinder (I know, it is a unitasker, but there is nothing that can grind those pesky seeds better:)
    I don’t doubt for a second that your orange poppy seed scones are going to be a hit in the restaurant!

    Reply

  44. I’m following via GFC! 🙂 Your scones are making my mouth water! Swing by my baking blog if you’d like!

    xoxo,
    Margaret
    —
    margeincharge(at)gmail(dot)com
    The Bite Size Baker

    Reply
  45. Anonymous says:

    lucen maravillosos para una rica taza de un calientito cafe, ricooo. tu mami

    Reply

  46. lemon poppy seed cake was my favorite growing up! these scones look fabulous! how neat that you can develop your own recipes for the summer club 😀

    Reply

  47. Wow! Those scones look beautiful. Great with a cup of coffee 🙂

    “Happy Cooking”

    Reply

  49. I left a comment on SSS wall on FB – and mentioned you and my favorite spice!

    Reply

  57. We are so lucky to have a Savory Spice Shop in North Raleigh. Too many favorites: Asian Sprinkle, Herbs de Provence (minimal fennel), Saigon Cinnamon. They grind spices on site, are very involved in local food community. So much better than a perhaps better known chain located downtown.

    Reply

  59. These looks so amazing and I can’t wait to make these. Great job!

    Reply

  60. It’s so often lemon and poppy seed, nice to see the orange in there!

    Reply

  63. Following Savory Spice Shop on Twitter (furygirl3132)

    Eloise
    furygirl3132[at]comcast[dot]net

    Reply

  70. I am now following you with Google Friend Connect.
    You’re welcome to check out my site, and see if you might like to follow me as well. I can promise you a good time. 😀

    Reply

  74. These do look delicious! Have to find out if they are gluten-free or just for me 🙂 The scones look awesome.

    Reply

  77. I’m following SSS on Twitter.
    cereza25 atyahoo dot com

    Reply

  83. Follow Savory Spice Shop via Twitter
    @jshallow01
    jshallow01 @ hotmail.com

    Reply

  87. I wish I had some of these right now; coffee is brewing but nothing quite this good to eat.

    Savory Spice was started in Denver so I’m lucky to be able to shop there locally…they have GREAT stuff!

    Reply

  88. I wish I was at your house this morning, enjoying a few delicious scones with my tea! YUM!

    Reply